Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting Switching from pure lead to alloyed lead in pot

I just bought a Lee Production pot. I bought it to cast my own muzzleloader Maxi-Balls, but then it got me thinking to maybe casting my own centerfire bullets (.38 specials, .41 Mags and .44 mags). However, the muzzleloaders use pure lead bullets and the handgun uses alloy.

Can the pot get empty enough to be able to use it for both?

I haven't opened it yet

Thanks.

Aqualung

yea if there is no more than one bullets worth of lead left in the pot I would not worry about it when changing from pistol lead to muzzy loader lead.

I'd just pour all the rest of the lead (assuming this batch is for you pistols...) into the ingot moulds and start with a fresh batch of pure lead for your muzzy loader.

Now if your going from pure lead to alloy, just add the alloy into the pure lead and you'll do ok. Assuming you are not really worried about the hardness of your pistol lead as all the bullets will be different hardness as you continue casting....


Keep it simple and repeatable, it will help in the accuracy department. Use pure lead only for your Muzzleloader bullets, when done set aside and save and start with your pistol bullet lead.

Thanks Blammer,

Now my parents have the pot to give to me for Christmas, so I'll let you know how things work out.

Another question...if I'm only going to make, say .38 wadcutters and keep them at low velocity, do I even need to alloy the lead at all? Or, is pure lead just too soft for centerfire, period?.

Thanks.

Aqualung

What is your Low velocity?

if it is below 1000 fps just use pure lead, should work fine.